How Many Genders Are There | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

There Are Only Two Genders

A scientific look at the number of genders

1671
https://pixabay.com/en/gender-sex-symbol-male-female-312411/
pixabay

In This Article:

A prominent social issue in today's society is the concept of gender. I often hear many people constantly arguing about how many genders there are. More conservative people tend to say there are only two, and more liberal people tend to say gender is a spectrum. But which is correct? According to science, the more conservative side is correct- there are only two genders.

Gender is determined by chromosomes in the human body. Each person has 23 pairs of chromosomes in total- 22 controlling development, and the 23rd controlling gender. In science, female chromosomes are called X and male chromosomes are called Y. Males are composed of XY and females are XX. When a baby is conceived, it is given an X chromosome from the female and an X or Y chromosome from the male, which determines the gender of the baby. In basic biology, there are only males and females, and there's no way to not be. Therefore, science proves there are only two genders.

I have heard many people argue gender is different from sex because gender is a mental construct developed by culture. They believe gender can be decided from life experience and human interactions so, therefore, they can choose to identify as many things. There are many many "genders" people identify as. These are formed by intertwining the male and female genders or disregarding them altogether. However, Dictionary.com defines both gender and sex as either the female or male division of a species. This means gender is not different from sex and is a physical trait, so someone cannot choose what gender he or she is. Gender is not an opinion. It is not something someone can choose.

Even for people who identify as transgender, the two-gender concept still applies. Merriam Webster defines transgender as "being a person whose gender identity is opposite the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth." For example, a biological boy identifies as a girl or a biological girl identifies as a boy. If the biological boy identifies as a girl, but still has all the reproductive organs of a boy, his gender is male. On the other hand, if that boy has the surgery to become a girl, completely changing his biological makeup, then he becomes female. The person is not transgender or any other gender. He (or she) is a girl. If anything, transgender is a word used to describe someone who wants to identify as another gender, but it is not a third gender. When people change genders, they are still either male or female.

All in all, there are only two genders: male and female. Science shows us that gender is a physical trait that cannot be changed or made up. Gender is determined at birth to be either male or female, and only male or female.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

127619
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

28745
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

26706
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments